June 4, 2026

Headlines

Urgent Care Awareness Month: Let's Keep the Momentum Going

Urgent Care Awareness Month may have wrapped, but the conversations, and the momentum, must continue.

Throughout May, leaders across the country came together to elevate understanding of the critical role Urgent Care plays in today’s healthcare ecosystem, providing timely, accessible and cost-effective care when and where patients need it most.

But awareness isn’t a moment, it’s a movement. And the work doesn’t stop here. Ongoing education, Advocacy and storytelling remain essential to ensuring patients, policymakers and communities fully understand the value of Urgent Care and how to access it appropriately.

That momentum is already carrying forward. In a recent CBS Colorado segment, College of Urgent Care Medicine President Lindsey E. Fish, MD, FCUCM, continues to amplify the message, highlighting how Urgent Care helps patients navigate care decisions and serves as a critical bridge between traditional care settings.  

Now is the time to keep the conversations going, and continue building understanding, access and impact year-round.

Physician Associate Title Gains Ground in Another State

Another step forward for PAs.

As stated in Becker’s Clinical Leadership, Delaware has become the fifth state to officially adopt the “Physician Associate” title, marking continued momentum in recognizing the profession’s evolving role in care delivery. 

The change not only modernizes how PAs are represented but also supports expanded access to care, particularly as experienced clinicians gain greater practice flexibility. 

It’s a meaningful milestone for the profession and a signal that Advocacy efforts are driving real progress.

Read the full source article below. 

JUCM Highlight: Medicare 2026 Therapy Services Update

Medicare’s 2026 therapy services update introduces several key changes providers need to know to stay compliant and optimize reimbursement. The update adjusts the KX modifier threshold to $2,480, adds new remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) codes and revises existing coding requirements, making accurate documentation and billing more critical than ever.

It also extends telehealth flexibilities for therapy services through December 31, 2027, supporting continued access to care, especially for underserved populations.

Overall, the changes reflect CMS’s ongoing effort to balance cost control with access to care while expanding the role of digital health, requiring providers to stay proactive in coding, compliance and care delivery.

Read the full article below and subscribe to JUCM for more insightful articles. 

Stay Updated on the Top 50 Operators: June 2026 Center Counts are Now Available

UCA’s Center Counts data are updated monthly, providing a timely snapshot of the Urgent Care landscape. The June 2026 edition includes the latest operator rankings, state-level center counts and key industry trends.
 
The data is organized into tabs featuring the Top 50 hospital-affiliated operators, Top 50 independent operators and detailed counts by state.
 
Explore the data to benchmark your organization, identify growth patterns and gain insights into market dynamics.
 
Download the full report to dive deeper and conduct your own analysis.

Thinking About a Career Move? Practice Wherever You Choose

Urgent Care Compass is a purpose-built career platform designed specifically for Urgent Care professionals, making it easier than ever to explore and compare job opportunities, locations and work environments—all in one place.

Unlike traditional job boards, it’s tailored to the unique needs of Urgent Care clinicians, leaders and staff, helping users find roles that truly align with their goals, values and schedules.

With enhanced transparency, map-based searching and access to a wide network of opportunities, Urgent Care Compass takes the guesswork out of career decisions and connects you with the right fit faster, so you can confidently take the next step in your Urgent Care career.

UCA Affiliates

CAUCQ Program Recognition

McLeod Urgent Care Centers

McLeod Urgent Care Centers in South Carolina has been awarded Accreditation and Urgent Care Scope Certification across two centers. 

This initial achievement proves a strong commitment to quality, consistency and excellence in patient care. This milestone reinforces their ongoing investment in exceptional patient experiences and continuous improvement.

Congratulations to McLeod Urgent Care Centers!

 

ESRH Express Care

ERSH Express Care has earned Accreditation and Urgent Care Certification for its Virginia center, marking a successful renewal.

This distinction highlights the organization’s dedication to clinical excellence, operational integrity and advancing the standard.

Congratulations to ESRH Express Care!

 

Merion Health Partners (AFC)

Merion Health Partners (AFC) has earned Accreditation for its eight centers across Pennsylvania, marking a successful Accreditation and Urgent Care Certification renewal.

This recognition applies to all eight of their centers and reflects the organization’s commitment to delivering high-quality, consistent care while meeting nationally recognized standards.

Congratulations to Merion Health Partners (AFC)!

College of Urgent Care Medicine

Urgent Caring is Coming Soon and We Invite You to be A Part of It

Something big is coming and we want you to be part of it.

The newest issue of Urgent Caring drops in just a few days, packed with the kind of content Urgent Care Clinicians actually want: sharp cases, practical pearls, thought-provoking op-eds and images that will test your eye.

All written by clinicians, for clinicians.

But this isn’t just about what’s coming, it’s about what comes next.

As we build future issues, we’re looking for more voices from the front lines of Urgent Care. If you’ve ever thought, “Someone else should know this trick,” or “This case taught me something important,” this is your moment.

We’re looking for short, high-impact pieces (about one page) that deliver real-world value, no need for academic depth or polished prose. Just practical insight, clear takeaways and lessons learned from doing this work every day.

Right now, we’re especially interested in:

  • Memorable case reports with a strong takeaway
  • Pediatric pearls (our biggest content gap)
  • Tricks of the trade: procedures, splints, workflows, documentation hacks
  • Billing and coding tips that save time or money
  • Burnout strategies that actually work
  • Clinical images (X-rays, EKGs, rashes, injuries, procedures)
  • Process improvements that made your center better
  • Anything that could help another clinician tomorrow

Not sure where to start? We’re happy to help shape an idea or polish a draft.

Your experience matters and sharing it strengthens the entire specialty.

Ready to contribute or have questions? Email tqdmd90@gmail.com or submit through the website.

And in the meantime… stay tuned. You won’t want to miss what’s dropping next.

The College of Urgent Care Medicine is Proud to Introduce its Newest Fellow (FCUCM), Alexander Mangas, DO, FCUCM

Alexander Mangas, DO, FCUCM, is the Associate Medical Director for Northwell Health GoHealth Urgent Care. He is actively involved in clinician leadership, provider development and operational strategy, playing a key role in initiatives such as expanding workers’ compensation services, improving patient access and implementing innovative technologies.
 
Dr. Mangas also serves as Clinical Chair of the Community Feedback Advisory Council and core faculty for the Urgent Care Fellowship Program at Northwell Health GoHealth Urgent Care. A recognized leader in Urgent Care innovation, he has received national recognition for his work on autism-friendly care and patient engagement, and frequently presents at industry conferences. 
 
Interested in becoming a Fellow with the College of Urgent Care Medicine?

The Latest Urgent Updates

Urgent Updates are curated highlights of guidelines, reviewed by (and some directly coming from) Urgent Care clinicians. These highlights represent the actual intent of these articles and how they relate to the practice of Urgent Care medicine.

Webinars, Podcasts and Education

Solutions.Webinar | 5 Forces Reshaping Urgent Care in 2026 - Sponsored by Charta Health

Thursday, June 11 | 1:00 p.m. CT

Urgent care operators often assume compliance risk stays low if they remain small. In this 30-minute webinar, we’ll break down the 5 forces reshaping urgent care in 2026 and how leading operators are responding. Learn how teams are strengthening compliance, streamline chart review, reduce denials, and protect revenue integrity.

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the key operational and compliance pressures reshaping urgent care in 2026
  • Identify where traditional chart review processes create revenue and audit risk
  • Learn how AI is being used to improve documentation accuracy, compliance, and denial prevention